ORCID

0000-0002-1741-6243

Keywords

bilingualism, visual semantic processing, language switching, visual world paradigm, cognitive mechanisms, NASA-TLX, SILL, demographic factors, language background

Abstract

Bilingualism has been shown to influence a variety of cognitive aspects, including attentional control, behavioral regulation, and the adaptation to fluctuating linguistic demands. Nevertheless, the influence of bilingualism on visual semantic processing remains ambiguous, characterized by inconsistent previous findings.. The present study aims to investigate the bilingual switch cost effect, characterized by slower response times and increased inaccuracy for bilinguals, in the context of visual semantic processing.

The study is grounded in three theoretical models: the Bilingual Interactive Activation (BIA) model, the Adaptive Control Hypothesis, and the Visual World Paradigm Theory. These models hypothesize that bilinguals would demonstrate enhanced visual attention, executive control, and cross-linguistic lexical connections, potentially leading to advantages in visual semantic processing. A task paradigm was employed to test these hypotheses, utilizing semantic content in visual stimuli across six conditions.

Monolingual and bilingual participants completed a visual semantic processing task while their reaction times and accuracy were measured. The cognitive workload was assessed using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Bilingual participants also completed the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) to evaluate their language learning strategies and proficiency. Monolingual participants completed a modified SILL to assess their general learning strategies. Demographic data was collected to control for potential confounding variables.

Repeated measures ANOVA examined performance differences across conditions and between language groups. Correlational analyses explored relationships among SILL scores, task performance, and cognitive workload.

The findings have the potential to advance understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underlying bilingual language processing, such as attention regulation, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. They also explore how bilingualism influences linguistic and non-linguistic information integration. The results can inform educational strategies for bilingual learners, clinical interventions for language disorders, and the design of adaptive technologies to support bilingual processing needs. Theoretically, the findings provide empirical support for bilingual language processing and cognitive control models.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Mustapha Mouloua

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Modeling and Simulation

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029010

Language

English

Release Date

12-15-2024

Access Status

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

PDF accessibility verified using Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker

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